Consult a Doctor for Asthma Management
Asthma kills around 1000 people every day and affects as many as 339 million people - and prevalence is rising. In 2016, asthma, across all ages, contributed 23.7 million DALYs globally.
About Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of lower airways, which can lead to excessive mucus formation and blockage leading to the reversible narrowing of the bronchial lumen.
Normal vs Asthmatic lung (source)
The Burden of Asthma in India
1/10th of total asthmatics in the world are Indians (approximately 20 million people). As per the global asthma report, 6% of children and 2% of adults in India have asthma.
Prevalence of Asthma in Indian Population
Causes of Asthma
The exact cause for asthma is not known but researchers have found it to be interplay between genetic and environmental factors.
- Genetic Factors
- Genetic Predisposition to asthma and Atopy: Genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases such as Allergic rhinitis, eczema, and asthma
- Environmental Factors
- Air pollution
- Allergies (allergic asthma)
- Cold, dry air
- Occupational exposure (Occupational asthma)
- Infections (Common cold)
- Exercise (exercise-induced asthma)
- Stress and emotions
- Certain medications such as aspirin, etc
- Obesity
Symptoms and Warning Signs of Asthma
Symptoms and Warning Signs (Source)
Symptoms | Warning Signs |
---|---|
|
|
Seek emergency treatment if there is
- Fast deterioration of symptoms
- No improvement is noticed after use of immediate relief inhaler
Types of Asthma
The common types of asthma are listed below
Exercise-Induced Asthma |
Triggered by Exercise |
Occupational Asthma |
Exposure to chemicals at work |
Nocturnal Asthma |
Worsening of asthma at night |
Allergic Asthma |
Triggered by allergens |
Starts in adulthood |
|
Mild Asthma |
Symptoms for 2 days or more per week |
Moderate Asthma |
Symptoms occur daily |
Severe Asthma |
Occur throughout the day |
Treatment for Asthma
Asthma cannot be cured but with proper management and care under the supervision of the doctor, one can control the disease and lead a healthy life.
Home Remedies for Asthma
- Breathing exercises as advised by the physician.
- Avoid triggers
- Yoga and meditation to control stress
- Dietary modifications
Asthma action plan with your Doctor
- Assess the control of disease
- Frequency and method of drug intake
- What to do when symptom surface
- What are the triggers of asthma and how to avoid them
Should the basic home remedies not suffice, and you need help, book a doctor online at your convenience.
Asthma Facts
- Asthma is the leading chronic disease in children affecting lower airways
- It causes recurrent attacks of breathlessness
- Asthma causes limitations in daily activities
- Medications can control asthma
- Avoiding asthma triggers reduces the severity of asthma
FAQ
Frequent Cough especially at night, Breathlessness, weakness during or after exercise are signs that indicate you may have asthma.
Management under a doctor’s supervision is the mainstay of treatment.
Exposure to pollutant, smoke, or allergen can induce asthma in a genetically predisposed individual.
When you do have asthma symptoms, you may feel like you are breathing through a straw.
Looking for a Doctor Advice?
Schedule AppointmentDownload the DocOnline App
- Live Chat with Doctors
- Book Doctor Appointment Online
- Speak to a Doctor within 15 Minutes
- Consult doctors via Audio/Phone Call & Video
- For You + 3 Family Members
- Store health records
- Read health tips
- Order Medicines Online & Get Lab Tests Done Easily